Tari

Eason

Head coach Ime Udoka said that the decision to start Eason over Reed Sheppard was based on the matchup, so Sheppard could return to start against the Bucks on Wednesday. However, Eason will get the nod for this game and will look to stay hot after averaging 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds over his last two games.

The Rockets rolled out a new starting lineup on Friday, with Sheppard replacing Tari Eason, and both were productive in their new roles. The second-year guard shot 4-of-7 from beyond the arc and recorded a complete stat line, while Eason added 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer. Following the game, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said that he plans to stick with the new lineup for the next six to seven games, which is good news for those rostering Sheppard.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has changed the starting lineup. Sheppard moves into the starting five, with Tari Eason being dropped to the bench. While still capable of providing solid fantasy value in a reserve role, Eason possesses a lower ceiling with the lineup change.

Smith Jr. logged 42 minutes in Thursday’s OT loss to the Warriors, and the Rockets may give him the night off for the second leg of a back-to-back set as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. If JSJ is unable to go, Tari Eason and Josh Okogie could see additional run.

Eason was assessed two technical fouls for shoving Washington’s Jamir Watkins on two separate occasions, prompting players on both teams to break them up. Eason played 25 minutes, finishing with nine points (4-of-11 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

This wasn’t a productive outing for Eason, but it was still an encouraging one. After logging 30 minutes on Tuesday, he played 34 minutes in this one, which was his first time playing both legs of a back-to-back since 2024. He struggled in both games, but if he can continue to be available like this, then he should be a strong options for fantasy managers over the final two months of this season.

Eason will be good to go after initially being listed as questionable for this game. This is a big step for Eason since this will be his first time playing both legs of a back-to-back since 2024. He struggled on Tuesday and will look to get back on track in this one.

Eason is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Clippers for left lower leg injury management reasons. If the 24-year-old small forward is ultimately ruled out, Josh Okogie would likely move into the starting lineup.

Eason is still managing a leg injury that caused him to sit out the second game of a back-to-back against the Hornets on Thursday. The 24-year-old small forward led the Rockets in scoring Saturday, though he was hardly efficient with 26 points on 22 attempts. Eason has provided fifth-round per game value over the last two weeks, according to Basketball Monster. He and the Rockets have four games upcoming in Week 17, beginning with the Clippers coming to town on Tuesday.

Eason did not play in Thursday’s loss to the Hornets, as Houston was playing its second game in as many nights. His return means that Josh Okogie will head to the bench, eliminating what little streaming value he possessed.